Tape feeding retrace mechanism

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for drive and rapid retrace of a length of recording tape to be used in a linear manner in a teaching apparatus or the like. The tape is carried by a retrace arm and driven in one direction in opposition to a spring force by a driven capstan into a storage compartment thereafter to be rapidly withdrawn from the compartment when not subjected to driving forces by the spring force.

United States Patent Inventors Hans F. Napl'el Huntington;

Lee H. Schank, Melville; Norman Buten, Douglaston, N .Y.

May 9, 1969 Mar. 9, 197 l Fairchild Camera and Instrument CorporationSyosset, L.I., N.Y.

Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee TAPE FEEDING RETRACE MECHANISM 6Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

Int. Cl. G1 1b 15/29 [50] Field of Search [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3,289,189 11/1966 Clark et a]. 226/121X PrimaryExaminerAllen N. Knowles Att0meys.lames J. Trainor, Roger Borov'oy andKane,

Dalsimer, Kane, Sullivan and Smith ABSTRACT: A mechanism for drive andrapid retrace of a length of recording tape to be used in a linearmanner in a teaching apparatus or the like. The tape is carried by aretrace arm and driven in one direction in opposition to a spring forceby a driven capstan into a storage compartment thereafter to r berapidly withdrawn from the compartment when not subjected to drivingforces by the spring force.

PATENTEU MAR 9:9?! 3 568,905

ATTORNEYS TAPE FEEDING RETRACE MECHANISM The present invention relatesto a mechanism for driving a length of recording tape from and returningthe same to an initial time zero location. Particularly the mechanism isadapted for use with a teaching apparatus thereby to drive, in onedirection, a length of tape in a linear timed fashion from a limitposition to allow receipt of transcription of a prerecorded master ormimicked phrase sequence and, thereafter, to rapidly drive the tape inthe other direction to the limit position for'replay, rerecording andcomparison of the recorded information.

The prior art is replete with systems employing a recording tape for usein a teaching application. Thus, there are many prior systems in whichprerecorded phrase sequences or otherwise, containing, in addition, amotivation lead-in stimulus, are used for teaching since it has beenrecognized that actual repetition by a student and comparison of thesame with the prerecorded master phrase greatly speeds the learningprocess by the synergistic effect attained. The ramifications of thistype of a teaching process are many and well recognized by thoseknowledgeable in the particular art.

Most, if not all, of theprior art devices of this type employ a tape ofan endlessloop varietypIn this connection, the tape is generally causedcontinuously to be fed past each of an erase and record-reproduce heador combination in carrying out a teaching operation. As may be apparent,use of an endless tape necessitates either locating, within the confinesof the tape, the inception of the transcription of the master versionafter transcribing the student version each time a comparison is desiredor allowing the tape to pass full cycle past the heads when comparisonis desired. In the first instance, there is unquestionable difficultyinvolved and the necessity of manual involvement with regard to machinemanipulations has a distracting effect which, psychologically, should bekept to an absolute minimum from 'a teaching standpoint. Distractionsoften result in loss of motivational impetus. In the second in stance,there is unquestionable delay. Both situations are aggravated due to theneed for provision of tapes of greater length than necessary thereby toaccommodate the operation to the reception of a student version at atalking frequency slower than that of the master to provide leewayagainst recording overlap and erasure.

In accordance with the foregoing, it is a principal object of theinvention to employ, in a teaching application, equipment adapted toplay and simultaneously record a master lesson phrase, thereafter toprovide a transcription of the master and receive a mimicked versionthereof for comparison, all without any considerable conscious effort bythe student and with a minimum of delay.

A further object is the provision of a retrace mechanism to accommodatedrive in a linear manner, of a recording tape in one direction from alimit position and provide for rapid retrace of the tape upon return tothe limit position.

Other objects and advantages of the present apparatus will be clearlyevident as the remaining discussion to be read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings is developed. As

' biased in one of the same. A recording tape, fixedly mounted at itsends, is carried, in part, by the arm and adapted for movement past arecord-reproduce head thereby both to receive and transmit audibleinformation. Disengageable drive means are mounted in juxtaposition tothe tape to drive the latter, upon engagement, in one direction inopposition to the bias force whereby, upon disengagement, the bias forcerapidly drives the tape in the other direction.

The accompanying drawings both illustrate and form a part of the presentinvention. By these drawings:

. FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view of the tape transport unit of theinvention prior to the commencement of either a record or playingoperation with the tape carriage at one limit posi- In the schematicpresentation, the apparatus is mounted or otherwise supported in aconvenient manner by a chassis 11, only the top surface of which isshown in the FIGS. The chassis may take any form, as desired.

The chassis may also conveniently serve as a housing for a replay unitcapable of accepting a source of master lesson material carried by anyone of, for example, a record, tape cassette, filmstrip, etc., (none ofwhich are shown). The master lesson may be a group of prerecorded phrasesets. Also, and not specifically shown, yet similarly carried by thechassis is the audio pickup mechanism and the tape recorder reproducerwhich, together with accompanying electrical circuitry, may form ateaching apparatus of the type wherein the master auriculartranscription is both listened to by the student and simultaneouslyrecorded for retention. Thus, a later comparison between the recordedmaster lesson material and a recorded mimicked version of the master maybe made. In this connection, the recording tape and particularly thetransport unit that causes movement of the tape for recording andtranscription purposes forms an integral part of the overall system andis of particular'importance with regard to the present invention.

The audio pickup mechanism and tape recorder reproducer, as well as itscircuitry, form only an incidental part of the present invention.Therefore, except as is necessary for a complete understanding of theinvention, no specific discussion is hereinafter directed thereto.

Therefore, the following discussion :is directed to both the manner andthe operative mechanism which functions in a manner whereby a length oftape is fed past each of an erase and a record-reproduce head to receiveor replay the model transcription, thereafter followed by an automaticor manual rapid retrace of the tape, and then, a second feeding of thetape to receive or replay a student duplication. Further feeding andretrace of the tape allow a comparison to be made be fore attempting asubsequent phrase set.

The recording tape 12 is mounted! by the transport apparatus and is of alength which, as choice dictates, meets the necessities of the operationdesired in .a teaching application. In most instances, a tape of 10-15second duration has been found to be adequate.

Before continuing, it is considered that a brief discussion of a typicaloperative sequence which is achieved by use of the predetermined lengthtape and the present transport apparatus will allow a closeridentification with the invention. Thus, the tape 12 is of the typecontaining a plurality of recording levels. In the sequence tobedescribed, two levels are adequate. Operation finds the tape always tobe movable from a time zero seconds during either a record ortranscription phase irrespective of the level upon which information isbeing either received or reproduced. During the first feeding sequence,the master lesson, plus an intermixed inaudible subcarrier carried bythe master source, is recorded on the master track. At the end of thisphase of the: operation, the tape is rapidly recycled to time zero. Thetape may, as choice dictates, be recycled on the master track for replayor recycled and transferred to the student track at which time thestudent version is transcribed. The particular circuitry providedthereby to cause both the recycling and track transfer is of noparticular interest and many circuits, for example, control logiccircuits can appropriately provide this function. However, recycling maybe accomplished by directing the end of the subcarrier on the mastersource whereupon the control logic directs the stoppage of, for example,the turntable drive motor, if there is a record source, and causesdisengagement of the tape drive for rapid retrace. The particularprogram may be set up for retrace and transfer at this point. Retracemay also be accomplished by pressing a student record switch which alsofunctions to release the tape drive for rapid retrace to time zeroseconds.

As was the case in transcribing the master lesson, the studenttranscription contains, intermixed therein, an inaudible subcarrier.This subcarrier may be internally generated and controlled, for example,by the student record switch. Operation again, is controlled by systemcontrol logic which detects the end of the subcarrier on the mastersource to stop source transcription and either of the tape levels torapidly recycle the tape. The particular sequence of operation, i.e.,whether there may be a master recording, replay of the master, studentrecording, student replay and then cyclical comparison untiltermination, is optional. The control logic may be programmed to provideany desired sequence.

The tape 12 has its extreme ends immovable yet releasably fixed againstmovement. In this connection, what may be considered a first end issecured at 17 to an elongated leaf spring 16 disposed within a tapecompartment 14. As is apparent from the FIGS., the leaf spring isyieldable thereby to absorb the shock which would otherwise be impartedto the tape at the abrupt termination of retrace. The second end issimilarly secured to a stud or post 18 supported by a bracket 20. Inthis manner the tape is supported for linear motion and during eachfeeding operation, as to be described in detail, moves toward thecompartment to be stored in random loop fashion (see FIG. 2).

A first series of pulley wheels 22-28 and their supporting shafts arecarried by the bracket. The bracket may be in the form of a pair ofspaced apart plates, only one of which is shown for clarity, whichsupport the pulley shafts therebetween. Alternatively, the wheels mayfreely turn on the shafts or the shafts may be keyed to the pulleywheels and, in turn, journaled for rotation in the spaced plates formingbracket 20. The wheels have substantially smooth nongrippingperipheries.

A retrace arm 30 is pivotally mounted as at 32 on the chassis 11. Theretrace arm may be formed in a manner similar to the bracket 20. In thisconnection, the arm contains a pair of spaced elongated members. Again,for clarity, only a single member is shown in the FIGS.

A second series of pulley wheels 36-42 and their shafts are carried bythe arm and disposed on the end opposite the pivot 32. The second seriesof wheels and shafts are similarly journaled for free rotation andsimilarly are provided with substantially smooth nongripping surfaces.The tape, from the second fixed end, is passed about and around thepulley wheels in both the first and second series and maintained underslight tension by means of biasing spring 34.

Upon driving impetus and drawing movement of the tape 12 in thedirection of arrow 44 (FIG. 1), the pulley wheels, journaled forrotation as discussed, freely rotate at a speed substantially equal tothe rate of tape drive. This has the advantage of reducing slidingfriction to keep tape damage, which might otherwise be the result ofsliding friction, to a minimum. Yet, during movement, the tape isphysically supported.

The retrace arm 30 is normally biased in the counterclockwise directionand toward one limit control switch 50. All motion imparted to the tapeby the tape drive is in opposition to the spring force developed. Thespring force is easily overcome by the tape drive thereby to cause theretrace arm 30 to pivot about the fixed point 32 in the clockwisedirection as the tape length shortens. Arm movement, indicated by thearrow 46, causes switch 50, heretofore in the open condition, to closeupon release of actuator 52 for the interim up to and including taperetrace to the FIG. 1 position.

A guide 54 is located and immovably supported by a chassis between thepulley wheels and the tape compartment 14. The guide has a slot openingthrough which the tape is received to provide additional support for thetape during its travel and to aid in its positioning for passage pastthe recording head.

The erase head 62 and the record head 64 are also carried by the chassismount 60. Both heads are situated adjacent the guide 54 to assure properpositioning of the tape during travel both toward the tape compartmentand past the heads. In this manner and as conventional, during movementof the tape in the direction of arrow 44 while recording, the tape isconstantly being erased of all voice and inaudible information therebyto present a cleared length of tape for recording. This, likewise, maybe accomplished by a single head adapted for a dual purpose.Irrespective of the structure, the erase head normally is inoperativewhen the information stored on the tape is being reproduced as an audiosignal by the electrical circuitry of the system.

A capstan 66 is positioned at the entrance to tape compartment 14. Thecapstan includes a roller keyed for rotation to a rotatable shaft thatis constantly driven at a timed pace in the direction of arrow 68 by adrive motor (not shown) or other suitable prime mover. The rollersurface is such that a gripping interaction may be maintained between itand the tape 12 thereby to drive the tape in the direction of arrow 44during a record or sound reproduction operation.

A pinch roller 70 is also mounted adjacent the compartment entrance. Theroller is supported at one end of an arm or link 72 pivoted between itsends at 80. The roller, mounted for free rotation by a shaft 74, isadapted to be pivotally movable into and out of engagement with thecapstan to pinch the tape therebetween. Thus, the capstan drives thetape, as discussed. Suitably, the pinch roller.70 has a smooth,nongripping surface.

A second arm or link 76 is pivotally connected at the other end of link72. Link 76 may form a part of or be connected to the armature ofsolenoid 78 which, upon being energized, draws the armature within itscore. Generally, circuit sensing of the presence or absence of theinaudible subcarrier controls solenoid operation.

The pinch roller is normally biased by, for example, spring 82 to theFIG. 1 position and out of engagement with capstan 66. Energization,however, of solenoid 78 and consequent movement of the armature withinthe solenoid core overcomes this spring bias causing arm 72 to pivotcounterclockwise about the fulcrum 80. This movement provides engagementof the pinch roller and capstan to drive the filmstrip passingtherebetween into the tape compartment. Deenergization of the solenoidallows under spring action, the pinch roller to move out of engagementwith the capstan. Rapid retrace of the tape to time zero under theaction of biasing spring 34 is then possible.

Solenoid 78 is energized whenever the apparatus is in the record oraudio reproduction mode. In this condition, the pinch roller is movedinto engagement'with the capstan so that the tape 12 is driven towardthe tape compartment against the bias of spring 34. Tape drive continuesuntil it is either manually recycled as by pressing a student recordbutton prior to completion of a total operation or automaticallyrecycled at the end of the audible transcription and upon system sensingthe end of the inaudible subcarrier or recycled as a consequence of theretrace arm 30 moving to a second limit position as defined by switch84. At this point, the normally closed switch 84, through actuator 86,opens thereby to open the solenoid circuit. As discussed, rapid retraceunder the force of spring 34 then occurs.

From the foregoing detailed discussion it is apparent that theheretofore stated objects and advantages as well as other objects andadvantages of the invention are uniquely carried out. It should also beapparent that various changes and modifications may be both made andincorporated in the discussed embodiment of the invention which ispresented by way of explanation of the invention and that the inventionis not to be limited thereto otherwise than as limited by the appendedclaims.

We claim:

I. A tape feeding and retrace mechanism in combination with a teachingapparatus of the type adapted both to record compartment, a supportmeans, an extended length of recording tape having its opposite endssubstantially immovably fixed to said support means, a leafspring-positioned within said compartment for releasably mounting one ofsaid tape ends whereby upon bias drive of said tape said-leaf springcompensates 'for shock imparted thereto following-retrace to a limitposition, means mounted by said support means carrying said tape betweenits ends so that the tape,capable of movementin timed relation in onedirection from a limit position is oriented thereby to pass a recordhead for recording and playing for comparison of said master andstudenttranscription, is movable at a relatively faster speed inthe oppositedirection to said limit position, means mounted by said support and tapecarrying means tending to bias the tape in said opposite directiontoward said limit position,-and drive means carried by said support andcooperably engageable with said tape thereby to overcome said bias anddrive the tape in said one direction and disengageable from said tapewhereby said biasing means rapidly drivesthe same in saidoppositedirection to said limit position.

2. A tape feeding and retrace mechanism in combination with a teachingapparatus of the type adapted both to record and play for comparison amaster lesson transcription and 'a student mimicked version, saidmechanism comprising a tape compartment, a support means, an extendedlength of recording tape having its opposite ends substantiallyimmovably fixed to said support means, means mounted. by said supportmeans carrying said tape between itsends so that the tape, capable ofmovement in timed relation in one direction from a limit position isoriented thereby to passa record head for recording and playing forcomparison of said master and student transcription, is movable at arelatively faster speed in the opposite direction to said limitposition, means mounted by the said support and tape carrying meanstending to bias the tape in said opposite direction toward said limitposition, and drive means carried by said support and cooperablyengageable with said tape thereby to overcome said bias and drive thetape in said one direction and disengageable from said tape, said drivemeans including a driven capstan and a pinch roller, said capstan androller being mounted by the support substantially adjacent a tapeentrance to said compartment and relatively moved into engagementthereby to drive the tape in said one direction and into said tapecompartment whereby said biasing means rapidly drives the same in saidopposite direction to said limit position.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said tape carrying means includesa first and second plurality of rotatable wheels, a retrace arm, saidarm being of elongated length and .fixed to said support mounted uponthe support at one end for pivotal movement in one direction as saidtape is driven in timed relation and inthe other direction due to saidbias means carried by the other end, said plurality of rotatable wheelsbeing carried by said retrace arm and said support so that said tape maybe threaded therearound.

4. The combination of claim 2 wherein said limitposition is defined by afirst switch, and said tapecarrying means including a retrace arm, aplurality of rotatable elements carried by said arm between its endsabout which the tape is threadedly engaged, said arm mounted at one endby said support for .pivotal movement away from said limit position upontimed drive of said tape, a secondswitch being angularly located withrespect to said first switch thereby to definea second limit positionbetween which said arm pivots during timed tape drive and retrace.

5. A tape feeding and retrace mechanism in combination with a teachingapparatus of the type adapted both to record and play for comparison amaster lesson transcription and a student mimicked version, saidmechanism comprising a tape compartment, a support means, an extendedlength of recording tape having its opposite ends substantiallyimmovably means, means mounted by said support means carrying said tapebetween its ends so that the tape,

capable of movement in timed relation in one direction from a limitposition is orientedthereby to pass a record'head for recording andplaying forcomparisozn of said master and student transcription, ismoveable at a relatively faster speed in the opposite direction to saidlimit position, means mounted by said support and tape carrying meanstending to bias the tape in said opposite direction toward said limitposition, and drive means carried by said support and cooperablyengageable with said tape thereby to overcome said bias and drive thetape in said one direction and disengageable from saidtape, said drivemeans including a driven capstan and a pinch roller,

, and means for causing relative movement of the capstan and pinchroller into said cooperable engagement with said tape, said means forcausing relative movement including a link, said link supporting saidpinch roller on one end and pivotable about a fixed fulcrum, resilientmeans-for biasing said pinch roller out of engagement, and means at saidlink second end for pivoting the link and moving said pinch roller intosaid cooperable engagement, whereby said biasing means rapidly drivesthe same in said opposite direction to said limit position. t

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said means at said linksecond endincludes an armature adapted for reciprocable movement within a core ofa solenoid whereby energization of said solenoid causes said tape to bedriven in said one direction.

1. A tape feeding and retrace mechanism in combination with a teachingapparatus of the type adapted both to record and play for comparison amaster lesson transcription and a student mimicked version, saidmechanism comprising a tape compartment, a support means, an extendedlength of recording tape having its opposite ends substantiallyimmovably fixed to said support means, a leaf spring positioned withinsaid compartment for releasably mounting one of said tape ends wherebyupon bias drive of said tape said leaf spring compensates for shockimparted thereto following retrace to a limit position, means mounted bysaid support means carrying said tape between its ends so that the tape,capable of movement in timed relation in one direction from a limitposition is oriented thereby to pass a record head for recording andplaying for comparison of said master and student transcription, ismovable at a relatively faster speed in the opposite direction to saidlimit position, means mounted by said support and tape carrying meanstending to bias the tape in said opposite direction toward said limitposition, and drive means carried by said support and cooperablyengageable with said tape thereby to overcome said bias and drive thetape in said one direction and disengageable from said tape whereby saidbiasing means rapidly drives the same in said opposite direction to saidlimit position.
 2. A tape feeding and retrace mechanism in combinationwith a teaching apparatus of the type adapted both to record and playfor comparison a master lesson transcription and a student mimickedversion, said mechanism comprising a tape compartment, a support means,an extended length of recording tape having its opposite endssubstantially immovably fixed to said support means, means mounted bysaid support means carrying said tape between its ends so that the tape,capable of movement in timed relation in one direction from a limitposition is oriented thereby to pass a record head for recording andplaying for comparison of said master and student transcription, ismovable at a relatively faster speed in the opposite direction to saidlimit position, means mounted by the said support and tape carryingmeans tending to bias the tape in said opposite direction toward saidlimit pOsition, and drive means carried by said support and cooperablyengageable with said tape thereby to overcome said bias and drive thetape in said one direction and disengageable from said tape, said drivemeans including a driven capstan and a pinch roller, said capstan androller being mounted by the support substantially adjacent a tapeentrance to said compartment and relatively moved into engagementthereby to drive the tape in said one direction and into said tapecompartment whereby said biasing means rapidly drives the same in saidopposite direction to said limit position.
 3. The combination of claim 2wherein said tape carrying means includes a first and second pluralityof rotatable wheels, a retrace arm, said arm being of elongated lengthand mounted upon the support at one end for pivotal movement in onedirection as said tape is driven in timed relation and in the otherdirection due to said bias means carried by the other end, saidplurality of rotatable wheels being carried by said retrace arm and saidsupport so that said tape may be threaded therearound.
 4. Thecombination of claim 2 wherein said limit position is defined by a firstswitch, and said tape carrying means including a retrace arm, aplurality of rotatable elements carried by said arm between its endsabout which the tape is threadedly engaged, said arm mounted at one endby said support for pivotal movement away from said limit position upontimed drive of said tape, a second switch being angularly located withrespect to said first switch thereby to define a second limit positionbetween which said arm pivots during timed tape drive and retrace.
 5. Atape feeding and retrace mechanism in combination with a teachingapparatus of the type adapted both to record and play for comparison amaster lesson transcription and a student mimicked version, saidmechanism comprising a tape compartment, a support means, an extendedlength of recording tape having its opposite ends substantiallyimmovably fixed to said support means, means mounted by said supportmeans carrying said tape between its ends so that the tape, capable ofmovement in timed relation in one direction from a limit position isoriented thereby to pass a record head for recording and playing forcomparison of said master and student transcription, is moveable at arelatively faster speed in the opposite direction to said limitposition, means mounted by said support and tape carrying means tendingto bias the tape in said opposite direction toward said limit position,and drive means carried by said support and cooperably engageable withsaid tape thereby to overcome said bias and drive the tape in said onedirection and disengageable from said tape, said drive means including adriven capstan and a pinch roller, and means for causing relativemovement of the capstan and pinch roller into said cooperable engagementwith said tape, said means for causing relative movement including alink, said link supporting said pinch roller on one end and pivotableabout a fixed fulcrum, resilient means for biasing said pinch roller outof engagement, and means at said link second end for pivoting the linkand moving said pinch roller into said cooperable engagement, wherebysaid biasing means rapidly drives the same in said opposite direction tosaid limit position.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said means atsaid link second end includes an armature adapted for reciprocablemovement within a core of a solenoid whereby energization of saidsolenoid causes said tape to be driven in said one direction.